The Beijing News Daily reported two Chinese auto plants run by German automaker Volkswagen AG through joint ventures are planning to partly suspend production lines to conduct maintenance work.

China's CCTV said in its midday bulletin that FAW-Volkswagen Automobile Co. plans to suspend part of its production line at a plant in Changchun, the capital of Jilin province in northeastern China, at the end of the year to carry out maintenance.

Shanghai Volkswagen Automotive Co. will also suspend work at its production line for half a month from mid-December to early January.

Vehicle sales in China fell 16 percent in November — a sharp reverse for China's automakers, which saw sales grow by 18.5 percent in 2007. Global automakers were counting on fast-growing Chinese sales to help drive revenue growth as sales elsewhere weakened.

Industry Minister Li Yizhong said Friday Beijing is considering ways to revive sales including cutting taxes, offering low-interest loans or forcing older vehicles off the road.

Date:  Dec 17,2008